Composite bearing deck comprising deck panel and concrete

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a composite bearing deck, including a deck panel, having an upper flange, a lower flange spaced from the upper flange by a predetermined height, a plurality of side webs formed between the upper flange and the lower flange in a transverse direction of the composite bearing deck, and a plurality of hollow portions defined by the upper flange, the lower flange and the side webs and arranged continuously in a longitudinal direction of the bearing deck while being long formed in the transverse direction thereof to constitute a tubular shape; and a concrete slab, having a predetermined thickness and integrated on the deck panel. Moreover, the composite bearing deck of the current invention can be further economically manufactured, and is advantageous in terms of prevention of brittle failure, and higher resistance to automotive loads and vibration loads, compared to conventional bearing decks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to bearing decks for engineering structures, and more specifically, to a composite bearing deck for use in engineering structures, comprising a deck panel having a closed cross section and concrete combined with the deck panel.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In general, bearing decks for use in engineering structures, such as bridges, have been made mainly of reinforced concrete. Since the bearing deck made of the reinforced concrete includes only inexpensive concrete, immediate manufacturing costs are lower. However, the bearing deck made of the reinforced concrete has a large section and thus the bearing deck is extremely heavy and bulky. Hence, in cases where bridges are constructed by such a reinforced concrete bearing deck, a lower structure of the bridge, such as a pier, is excessively enlarged to support the high weight of the bearing deck. Consequently, construction costs increase.

[0005] As the alternative of the conventional reinforced concrete bearing deck, there are proposed bearing decks including an elongated hollow panel having a tubular section in a transverse direction and made of a light and strong material, such as fiber reinforced plastics (FRP), aluminum, steel, etc.

[0006] However, the above bearing deck is not clearly proved for structural stability. Further, failure mode of the bearing deck exhibits brittle failure, due to the use of the material such as FRP constituting the deck panel. Thus, the above bearing deck is disadvantageous in terms of low structural stability, and the use of expensive materials, thus negating economic benefits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to alleviate the problems in the related art and to provide a composite bearing deck, exhibiting all advantages of a reinforced concrete bearing deck and a bearing deck in a form of elongated hollow panel, which is advantageous in terms of structural stability, simplified construction, and shortened construction periods and decreased construction costs.

[0008] To achieve the above objects of the present invention, there is provided a composite bearing deck, comprising: a deck panel, including an upper flange, a lower flange spaced from the upper flange by a predetermined height, and a plurality of side webs formed between the upper flange and the lower flange in a transverse direction of the composite bearing deck, whereby a plurality of hollow portions are formed by the upper flange, the lower flange and the side webs, and arranged continuously while being long formed in the transverse direction to constitute a tubular shape; and a concrete slab, having a predetermined thickness and integrated with an upper part of the deck panel.

[0009] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the composite bearing deck is characterized in that the deck panel comprises a plurality of connected panel units each including the lower flange, the upper flange, the plurality of the side webs, and the plurality of the hollow portions, in which the lower flanges of neighboring panel units to be connected are overlapped and integrated to form a joint of the panel units, and I-shaped beams elongated in a transverse direction are integrated on the joint of the panel units, and concrete is poured onto the deck panel so that the I-shaped beams are embedded in the concrete, to obtain the concrete slab in a reinforced state.

[0010] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the composite bearing deck is characterized by comprising a plurality of deck units each including a deck panel having a predetermined width and a precast concrete slab, combined together, in which the lower flanges of the deck panels of neighboring deck units to be connected are overlapped and integrated to form a joint of the deck units, and I-shaped beams elongated in a transverse direction are integrated on the joint of the deck units, and a filling member is filled between the deck panels of both the deck units provided with the I-shaped beams so that the I-shaped beams are embedded in the filling member, to obtain a joint structure of the deck units in a reinforced state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a composite bearing deck provided on a girder, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1A, to show a structure of the composite bearing deck;

[0014]FIG. 1C is a view similar to FIG. 1B, which shows a composite bearing deck including a deck panel having male-female portions fitted together, according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 1D is a view similar to FIG. 1C, which shows a composite bearing deck including a deck panel having male-female portions fitted together, according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 1E is a view similar to FIG. 1B, which shows a composite bearing deck including a deck panel having an upper flange and a lower flange each provided with an additional reinforcing plate, according to another modification of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a composite bearing deck provided on a girder, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 2A, to show the structure of the composite bearing deck;

[0019]FIG. 2C is a view similar to FIG. 2B, which shows a composite bearing deck including a deck panel having trapezoid-shaped hollow portions, according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 2D is a view similar to FIG. 2B, which shows a composite bearing deck including a deck panel having wave-shaped hollow portions, according to another modification of the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a composite bearing deck including a precast concrete slab, according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. 3A, which shows a composite bearing deck including a deck panel having trapezoid-shaped hollow portions, according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention; and

[0023]FIG. 3C is a view similar to FIG. 3A, which shows a composite bearing deck including a deck panel having wave-shaped hollow portions, according to another modification of the third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] With reference to FIG. 1A, there is shown a schematic perspective view of a composite bearing deck 1 placed on a girder 2, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1A, to show the structure of the composite bearing deck 1.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the composite bearing deck 1 of the present invention includes the deck panel 10, and the concrete slab 20 having a predetermined thickness. The concrete slab 20 is integrally combined with an upper part of the deck panel 10.

[0026] The deck panel 10 includes an upper flange 11, a lower flange 12 spaced from the upper flange 11 by a predetermined height, a plurality of side webs 13 formed between the upper flange 11 and the lower flange 12. The upper flange 11, the lower flange 12 and the side webs 13 define a plurality of hollow portions 14. The hollow portions are continuously arranged in a longitudinal direction (e.g., an axial direction of a bridge) of the composite bearing deck 1. The hollow portions 14 are elongated in a transverse direction (e.g., a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bridge) of the bearing deck 1, to constitute a tubular shape. Such a deck panel 10 is made of a light material having high strength, such as FRP, aluminum, and steel.

[0027] The upper part of the deck panel 10 is integrally combined with the concrete slab 20. The concrete slab 20 is constructed with the concrete poured in situ at a predetermined height onto the deck panel 10 while using the upper flange 11 of the deck panel 10 as a form. The concrete slab 20 may be formed by either a precast concrete or in-situ concrete.

[0028] To combine the deck panel 10 with the concrete slab 20, a plurality of shear connectors 15 are firmly provided on the upper flange 11 of the deck panel 10, and thus embedded in the concrete slab 20. With the intention of reinforcing the concrete slab 20, reinforcing bars (not shown) may be arranged in the concrete slab 20 in a transverse direction and a longitudinal direction (e.g., axial direction of the bridge) of the composite bearing deck 1. Further, particles, such as silica, may be dispersed on the upper flange 11. An adhesive, such as epoxy, may be coated on the upper flange 11 of the deck panel 10, in addition to using the shear connectors 15, so that the concrete slab 20 is further firmly combined with the deck panel 10.

[0029] Hence, the composite bearing deck 1 of the present invention, including the deck panel 10 made of the light and strong material and the concrete slab 20 combined together, can be drastically decreased in thickness of a cross section of concrete, compared to conventional bearing decks having only reinforced concrete. Accordingly, the weight of the inventive bearing deck 1 decreases, whereby the section of the lower structure supporting the bearing deck 1 is not increased.

[0030] Moreover, compared to conventional bearing decks formed of only panels, since the composite bearing deck 1 of the present invention further including the concrete slab 20 is designed so that the concrete of the concrete slab 20 first reaches an ultimate state and then the panel having additional strength reaches an ultimate state when the panel is subjected to a load higher than the load applied to concrete, the inventive bearing deck 1 can prevent brittle failure from occurring. Consequently, it is possible to predict the destruction of the structure, and thus, to suitably prepare for destruction.

[0031] In the present invention, the deck panel 10 of the composite bearing deck 1 includes a plurality of connected panel units each having the upper flange 11, the lower flange 12, the side webs 13 and the hollow portions 14. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the panel units, in particular, ones made of FRP, are connected each other to form the deck panel 10. Specifically, the side webs 13 of neighboring panel units are set opposite each other and joined by use of the adhesive as epoxy. Then, an additional connecting plate 17 is attached to the lower flanges 12 of the panel units joined together, by use of the adhesive. Thereby, both the panel units are connected, thus forming a total system of the deck panel 10.

[0032]FIG. 1C, which is similar to FIG. 1B, shows a deck panel 10 having male-female portions fitted together, in a composite bearing deck 1 according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1C, a male portion 18 is formed at one side of a first panel unit, and a female portion 19 is formed at a side of a second panel unit to be combined with the above first panel unit. When the first and second panel units are connected, the male portion 18 of the first panel unit is structured to be fitted into the female portion 19 of the second panel unit. Other structural parts shown in FIG. 1C remain the same as in FIG. 1B.

[0033] Likewise, the other side of the first panel unit having the male portion 18 is formed to have a female portion, and thus is connected to still another panel unit according to the above fitting manner. Further, the other side of the second panel unit having the female portion 19 is formed to have a male portion, and thus is connected to still another panel unit. That is, FIG. 1D shows panel units having male and female portions at both sides thereof, in a composite bearing deck according to the modification shown in FIG. 1C.

[0034]FIG. 1E, which is similar to FIG. 1B, shows a deck panel 10 having upper and lower flanges 11 and 12 provided with additional reinforcing sheets 11A and 12A, in a composite bearing deck according to another modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is more favorably applied in cases of the deck panel 10 made of FRP. That is, the reinforcing sheets 11A and 12A made of the material same as the deck panel 10 are attached to the upper flange 11 and the lower flange 12 of the deck panel 10 by use of the adhesive. In this case, the connecting plate 17, serving to combine both the panel units, is attached to the reinforcing sheet 12A attached to the lower flanges 12 of the deck panel 10.

[0035] Turning now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is shown a composite bearing deck according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a composite bearing deck provided on a girder, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 2A.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, I-shaped beams 16 for reinforcement are mounted to a joint of both panel units of the deck panel 10. Specifically, lower flanges 12 of both the panel units are arranged to be overlapped, after which the overlapped lower flanges 12 are integrated by means of welding (in cases of steel plate), riveting, or epoxy attachment (in cases of FRP), thereby forming a total system of the deck panel 10. In addition, the I-shaped beams 16 are provided on the overlapped and integrated lower flanges 12 of the panel units.

[0037] The lower flanges 12 of both the panel units of the deck panel 10 are overlapped and integrated for connection, after which the I-shaped beams 16 are mounted on the overlapped lower flanges 12 of the deck panel 10, and then concrete is poured in-situ. Thereby, the I-shaped beams 16 are embedded in the concrete to obtain a reinforced concrete slab 20. With the aim of firm combination of the I-shaped beam 16 and the concrete slab 20, it is preferable that a shear connector (not shown) is fixed to an external surface of the I-shaped beam 16.

[0038] Where the I-shaped beams 16 are embedded in the joint of the deck panel 10 by the concrete slab 20, a part of tensile force applied to the bearing deck 1 is shared by the lower flanges and lower webs of the I-shaped beams 16. Thereby, the bearing deck 1 can endure considerably large loads. Further, since the upper flanges and the upper part of the webs of the I-shaped beams 16 share a part of compression applied to the bearing deck 1, the bearing deck 1 can efficiently cope with a negative moment applying thereto. Although the two I-shaped beams 16 are provided in the present embodiment, the using number of the I-shaped beams 16 is not limited to this and is properly selected from one or three or more, depending on particular design modes and sizes of the bearing deck.

[0039] In the present invention, although concrete used for the concrete slab 20 is described to be comprised of one by general portland cement, the concrete may be selected from among known concretes, such as high strength concrete, fiber reinforced concrete, etc.

[0040]FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of a composite bearing deck according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of a composite bearing deck according to another modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, various hollow portions 14 are represented, which are defined by various arrangement shapes of side webs 13 of a deck panel 10 of the composite bearing deck. Specifically, the hollow portions 14 of the deck panel 10 of FIG. 2C have a trapezoid shape, and the hollow portions 14 of the deck panel 10 of FIG. 2D have a wave shape. However, in the composite bearing deck of the present invention, the hollow portions 14 of the deck panel 10 are not limited to the above shapes and may be variously shaped.

[0041] Meanwhile, as for the composite bearing deck of the present embodiment, the concrete slab 20 may be formed of the precast concrete, instead of the in-situ concrete.

[0042]FIGS. 3A to 3C show composite bearing decks each having a precast concrete slab 20, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in the same cross-section manner as in FIGS. 2B to 2D.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3A, the composite bearing deck 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of deck units 100 each having a deck panel 10A with a predetermined width and a precast concrete slab 20A integrated with the deck panel 10A. That is, the concrete slab 20A is provided onto the deck panel 10A having a predetermined width in factories, thus previously manufacturing the deck units 100, which are then transported to the construction sites and connected to other deck units 100. Thereby, a total system of a desired composite bearing deck 1 can result.

[0044] As for the joint structure of the deck units 100, as in FIGS. 2B to 2D, lower flanges 12 of both deck units 100 are arranged to be overlapped, and then integrated by means of welding (in cases of steel plate), riveting, or epoxy attachment (in cases of FRP). Subsequently, I-shaped beams 16 are mounted on the integrated lower flanges 12 of the deck units 100. In such a case, lower flanges of the I-shaped beams 16 are integratedly combined with the overlapped lower flanges 12 of the deck units.

[0045] The lower flanges 12 of both the deck panels 10A to be connected are overlapped and integrated, after which the I-shaped beams 16 are mounted on the overlapped lower flanges 12. Thereafter, a filling member 30, such as concrete, non-shrinkage mortar, etc., is filled between the deck units 100, whereby the I-shaped beams 16 are embedded in the filling member 30. With the intention of strengthening and reinforcing the joint provided with the I-shaped beams 16, a reinforcing member may be further provided in the filling member 30.

[0046]FIGS. 3B and 3C show composite bearing decks each having a precast concrete slab, according to other modifications of the third embodiment of the present invention, in which various shapes of hollow portions 14 of a deck panel 10A are shown, which are defined by various arrangement shapes of side webs of the deck panel 10A. The hollow portions 14 of the deck panel 10A of FIG. 3B have a trapezoid shape, and the hollow portions 14 of the deck panel 10A of FIG. 3C have a wave shape. However, as for the composite bearing deck including the precast concrete slab, the hollow portions 14 of the deck panel 10A are not limited to the above shapes and may be variously shaped. In FIGS. 3A to 3C, the reference numeral 15 indicates a shear connector 15.

[0047] Moreover, the inventive bearing deck including the precast concrete slab may be provided with a tension member in a longitudinal direction thereof (e.g., axial direction of the bridge) to resist tension force by prestress to the bearing deck, so as for rigid combination of respective deck units and reinforcement against the tension force of axis direction of the bridge.

[0048] The girder, which is provided with the composite bearing deck 1 of the present invention, may be exemplified by various girders, such as a steel box beam/girder, a concrete beam/girder, etc.

[0049] Further, the filling member, such as urethane, may be filled in the hollow portions 14 of the deck panel 10A.

[0050] As described hereinbefore, the present invention provides a composite bearing deck, including a deck panel made of a light and strong material and a concrete slab combined with the deck panel. Compared to conventional bearing decks having only reinforced concrete, the composite bearing deck of the present invention is advantageous in terms of drastically decreased thickness of a cross section of concrete, thus reducing the weight of the bearing deck. Thereby, the section of the lower structure supporting the bearing deck is not increased.

[0051] Further, the inventive composite bearing deck, which further includes the concrete slab, is prevented from brittle failure thereof, compared to conventional bearing decks having only panels. Therefore, it is possible to accurately predict the destruction of the structure, and thus, to properly prepare for destruction.

[0052] In particular, the composite bearing deck of the present invention can be more economically manufactured and has excellent resistance to automotive loads and vibration loads, compared to conventional bearing decks having only panels.

[0053] The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A composite bearing deck, comprising: a deck panel, including an upper flange, a lower flange spaced from the upper flange by a predetermined height, and a plurality of side webs formed between the upper flange and the lower flange in a transverse direction of the composite bearing deck, whereby a plurality of hollow portions are formed by the upper flange, the lower flange and the side webs, and arranged continuously in a longitudinal direction of the composite bearing deck while being long formed in the transverse direction thereof to constitute a tubular shape; and a concrete slab, having a predetermined thickness and integrated with an upper part of the deck panel.
 2. The composite bearing deck as defined in claim 1, wherein the deck panel comprises a plurality of connected panel units each including the lower flange, the upper flange, the plurality of the side webs, and the plurality of the hollow portions, in which the lower flanges of neighboring panel units to be connected are overlapped and integrated to form a joint of the panel units, I-shaped beams elongated in a transverse direction of the composite bearing deck are integrated on the joint of the panel units, and concrete is poured onto the deck panel so that the I-shaped beams are embedded in the concrete, to obtain the concrete slab in a reinforced state.
 3. The composite bearing deck as defined in claim 1, comprising a plurality of deck units each including a deck panel having a predetermined width and a precast concrete slab, combined together, in which the lower flanges of the deck panels of neighboring deck units to be connected are overlapped and integrated to form a joint of the deck units, I-shaped beams elongated in a transverse direction of the composite bearing deck are integrated on the joint of the deck units, and a filling member is filled between the deck panels of both the deck units provided with the I-shaped beams so that the I-shaped beams are embedded in the filling member, to obtain a joint structure of the deck units in a reinforced state. 